Pyrotechnic Gas Distributor with Movable Shutter for Aircraft Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pyrotechnic gas distribution systems for aircraft payload ejection are sensitive to initial temperature and pressure conditions, leading to variable operating pressures and incomplete combustion, resulting in unburnt particles and residues, necessitating excessive pyrotechnic charge and complex pressure regulation.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnic gas distribution system with a movable shutter mechanism that confines and releases actuation gas to optimize combustion, using a pyrotechnic generator and distributor design to maintain high pressure for efficient gas generation and minimize pyrotechnic charge quantity, while ensuring safety through independent control means and emergency evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pyrotechnic charge quantity is increased to ensure complete combustion and consistent pressure, then combustion reliability is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is pre-filled with pressurized inert gas (nitrogen) before pyrotechnic ignition. This preliminary pressurization ensures that when the pyrotechnic charge fires, the gas has immediate pressure head to drive consistent combustion and maintain reliable operation, eliminating the need to carry excessive pyrotechnic charge for pressure compensation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure regulation means are added to maintain consistent operating pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pyrotechnic charge itself as the pressure regulation mechanism. The controlled burning of the charge, combined with the pre-filled pressurized gas, automatically maintains consistent operating pressure without requiring external regulation means. The gas pressure naturally compensates for pressure drops as the charge consumes oxygen, eliminating the need for additional active regulation components.
3Speed
If pyrotechnic charge is used to generate control gas, then gas generation speed is improved, but sensitivity to temperature and pressure conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A pressurized inert gas (nitrogen) is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the pyrotechnic charge and the actuator. The pre-filled pressurized gas buffer absorbs variations in combustion conditions, temperature effects, and pressure fluctuations, delivering consistent gas pressure to the actuator regardless of environmental conditions or charge variations.
4Reliability
If excessive pyrotechnic charge is carried to compensate for cold conditions, then combustion completeness is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameter of gas pressure by pre-filling the distributor with pressurized inert gas. This pressure parameter change ensures that combustion proceeds completely even in cold conditions with the original charge quantity, eliminating the need to increase charge mass and thereby preventing waste of pyrotechnic material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves optimal pyrotechnic combustion with reduced unburnt particles, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced safety by controlling gas flow and pressure independently of pyrotechnic ignition, minimizing pyrotechnic charge requirements and preventing uncontrolled ejections.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic charge (a powder or a propellant for example) decomposes thermochemically to generate a control gas
Implementation Method 2
the actuating gas accumulates in the upstream chamber, without being able to exit from this chamber, so as to move the movable member from its confinement position to its distribution position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The system has a distributor (26) comprising a control unit (38) for controlling displacement of a movable closing member (36) i.e. calibrated valve, between containment and distributing positions. The control unit maintains the member in the containment position after receiving a firing order in which a pyrotechnic generator is activated for generating actuation gas. The generator is activated based on reception of another opening order independent of actuation gas applied on the closing member for moving the member from the containment position to the distribution position. An independent claim is also included for a method for distributing actuation gas to a pneumatic actuator.